Bush: Money Good, Science Bad

This from the LA Times isn't (unfortunately) the least bit surprising:

Researchers Accuse Bush of Manipulating Science By Elizabeth Shogren, Times Staff Writer WASHINGTON — More than 4,000 scientists, including 48 Nobel Prize winners and 127 members of the National Academy of Sciences, accused the Bush administration Thursday of distorting and suppressing science to suit its political goals. "Across a broad range of policy areas, the administration has undermined the quality and independence of the scientific advisory system and the morale of the government's outstanding scientific personnel," the scientists said in a letter. The administration has frequently been accused of misusing and ignoring science to further its policy aims. The list of signatures collected by the Union of Concerned Scientists suggests that the issue has become worrisome throughout the scientific community. Administration officials rejected the criticism Thursday, as they did when the same letter was released in February bearing the names of 62 prominent scientists. John Marburger, director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, said the letter and a report released simultaneously by the Union of Concerned Scientists "reach conclusions that are wrong and misleading."

Nor is this response:

"This administration values and supports science, both as a vital necessity for national security and economic strength and as an indispensable source of guidance for national policy," Marburger said.

Four or more years ago any of this would have been major, MAJOR headlines. The Bush Administration has effectively and efficiently quashed public debate on any policy related to the health and welfare of anyone not related to major corporate management. Mark my words, this will disappear from the news before the end of the week.

(Note: LA TImes requires one-time free registration.)